Microsoft fixes annoying BitLocker lockout — but only for Windows 11, leaving Windows 10 stuck
Microsoft has deployed a fix for a BitLocker lockout issue in Windows 11 25H2, but Windows 10 users remain without a solution. The problem originated from the April 2026 Security Update (KB5083769), which inadvertently triggered a critical bug causing affected devices to boot directly into the BitLocker recovery screen, effectively locking users out of their systems.
The issue proved disruptive for the small subset of users impacted. Microsoft confirmed that the bug affected only a limited number of devices, meaning the majority of users were unaffected by the faulty update. However, for those who encountered the lockout, the situation was frustrating and potentially productivity-impacting.
While Windows 11 25H2 users now have access to a fix, Windows 10 remains without an official solution. Affected users can resolve the issue by undoing the Group Policy configuration that triggered the bug or by entering their BitLocker recovery key when prompted at startup. A comprehensive recovery guide has been published to help affected users regain system access.
Microsoft has not yet announced a timeline for addressing the issue on Windows 10, meaning older operating system users may need to implement manual fixes until a broader solution is rolled out across both Windows versions.